Category People

Dr. Benny Kuriakose, one of India’s foremost architects and conservationists, began his career in 1984 under the tutelage of the legendary Laurie Baker, who instilled in him a philosophy of simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and sensitivity to context. He later pursued an MA in Conservation Studies at the University of York, UK, on the prestigious Charles Wallace India Trust Award. On his return, he pioneered cost-effective projects in Kerala and soon after the 1994 Latur earthquake, was commissioned by Malayala Manorama to design the rebuilding of Banegaon village, a landmark in community-driven rehabilitation.
Benny is renowned for his public building projects and the transplantation of traditional structures at the Kerala Section of Dakshinachitra Craft Village, Chennai. His recent architectural works include the Ananthya Resort, the tsunami-affected villages of Chinnangudi and Tarangambadi, and the Harishree Vidyalaya School. His conservation projects include the development plans for Muziris and Thalassery Heritage Sites, and the restoration of heritage landmarks such as Paravur Synagogue, Paliam Dutch Palace, Cheraman Masjid, and Gable Bungalow. He has also executed adaptive reuse projects like converting heritage structures into hospitality spaces at Springdale Heritage (Vandiperiyar) and Club Mahindra (Ooty).
Author of Conserving Timber Structures in India and co-editor of Guidelines for the Preparation of a Heritage Management Plan, Dr. Kuriakose has worked as a consultant with UNDP, various State Governments, and international organizations. He has also taught as visiting faculty at IITs, IIMs, the School of Planning and Architecture (Delhi), and several other institutions—guiding the next generation of architects towards sustainable practice.

When Brajesh Singh speaks, his words carry the authority of someone who has spent decades advising governments and public and private corporations of India in sectors as complex as energy, power, gas, water, digital infrastructure, and telecom. Yet, when he begins to describe his life in the Kanha Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh, his voice shifts into something more reflective, more personal and more candid. Here, amid the sal forests and the quiet presence of tigers, Brajesh Singh is not an advisor or a professional, he is a photographer, a nature lover, and above all, a man who has found peace in the wilderness. Brajesh Singh was featured on The Voice of MOSAIC, where he shared his dual journey of corporate leadership and ecological passion. The conversation wove together his deep love for wildlife with his nuanced understanding of India’s development trajectory.

When Dr. Surheeta Kareem began her medical practice in Gorakhpur four decades ago, the city had little to offer in terms of modern healthcare. At that time, there were hardly two or three qualified doctors available, and women in particular had almost no access to specialized medical care. Yet, Dr. Kareem—today a senior gynaecologist, laparoscopic surgeon, and Director of Star Hospital, Gorakhpur—chose to establish herself in this city, determined to change the narrative of women’s health. The beginning was not easy. Setting up her practice at a time when clinics were scarce and infrastructure was minimal required perseverance. But what made Gorakhpur stand out, Dr. Kareem recalls, was its warmth and openness. The community welcomed her, extended trust, and supported her efforts. Over the years, she went on to establish the city’s first laparoscopic clinic, bringing advanced procedures to women in the region who had never before had access to such care. Her voice, featured on the Voice of Mosaic podcast, reminds us why women’s health cannot be treated as secondary or optional. Awareness, she insists, is the first step toward empowerment. And in the conversation, she unfolds a comprehensive journey of women’s health—starting with puberty and moving through parenthood, menopause, and beyond.

Must we say that women of today are executing excellence in diverse roles across industries and it is not the talk to be surprised by any more or a first-time, women have been at the forefront of many revolutions and reforms, shattering glass ceiling or mundane rulebooks. And while we celebrate men and women as two equals, we have a story to highlight of a woman who is breaking gender stereotypes and championing it in a profession more so male-dominated and may require more than grit and vision; it requires an extraordinary force to deliberate on topics no one wants to put on mainstream or in public view.

The fashion industry stands at a crossroads, with its undeniable environmental and social impact, brands, consumers, and policymakers alike are seeking best practices and innovations to make fashion more sustainable. In the midst of this transformation, innovators like Akhil Sivanandan, CEO and co-founder of Green Story, are leading the charge.

Research indicates that first impressions matter, in a study conducted by Princeton psychologists J Willis and A. Todorov, it was highlighted that people form first impressions within 1/10th of a second based just on appearances. This says a lot about why emphasis is placed on what we wear, our body language and our mannerisms. To support the topic, another study by Harvard Business School in 2014 found individuals to be more successful than those who dressed in a more polished manner, and also to be perceived as more intelligent and deserving of the job portfolio. This is about how impressions are made on others from job interviewers to colleagues to our circle of influence. But what if we tell you that fashion, dressing, and personal grooming also profoundly impact the self – research by Northwestern University introduced the term ‘Enclosed Cognition’ suggests what we wear affects our psychology – meaning appropriate dressing offers us boosted confidence and strength.

In this candid interview, Hiral Agrawal shares her journey from her childhood in Nigeria to her experiences on MasterChef India, the creation of her flourishing bakery and confectionery stores in the city of Gorakhpur, and her inspiring message for women everywhere. Hiral is vivacious, full of zeal and fearless – this conversation will inspire women to be true to themselves, to work with their strengths and never hesitate to try.

Vice-President of the Economics Society at the University of Sussex, Brighton, UK A Young Awareness Officer at the Marian Foundation, Gorakhpur, India

crusade for ocean health.